Marino overshadowed on a memorable day at the Open

TURNBERRY, Scotland - Who was on base when Bobby Thomson hit his famous homer? Who doled out all those assists the night Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points?

They could probably relate to Steve Marino.

The unheralded American got into the British Open as an alternate, had to fly his dad to Florida to send along his passport and found himself with the 36-hole lead at golf's oldest major.

Great story, right?

No doubt.

But it barely got noticed Friday.

Marino's second straight round in the 60s - and this one was really impressive the way the wind was whipping around Turnberry - was overshadowed by two other developments of some interest. Fifty-nine-year-old Tom Watson rolled in two long putts to tie Marino for the top spot, and Tiger Woods headed home after missing the cut.

Of course, Marino could change all that by playing well enough over the next two days to get his name engraved on the claret jug.

"Obviously, it's an advantage to have experience," the 29-year-old Marino said after shooting a 2-under 68 that left him tied with Watson at 5-under 135. "But it can be an advantage to not have experience."

Someone pointed to Ben Curtis, who won the Open on his first attempt at Royal St. George's in 2003.

"I haven't really experienced any nightmares over here yet, knock on wood," Marino said. "But you know, watching it on TV my whole life, I've seen some crazy things go on. And I've got it in my head that some crazy things might happen to me, both good and bad."

There was a lot of good in the second round, as Marino pulled off one improbable shot after another. He holed out a sand wedge from 116 yards at No. 3, and did the same from a bunker for another birdie at the sixth. There also was a 30-footer for birdie at No. 5, not to mention a 20-footer for eagle at the 17th.

"It was probably one of the best scoring rounds I've ever had," Marino said. "There were points in the round where I felt I was 1-putting every hole. I really don't think I could have shot 1 stroke less today, to be honest with you."

And let's give a few props to his father for sending along that passport. Without it, Marino wouldn't be here.

When Marino thought he might get into the Open, his father dashed from Virginia to Florida (his son's home), sent the passport to his son playing in the John Deere Classic in Illinois, then flew back home - all in the same day. When Shingo Katayama withdrew from the Open last weekend because of an injury, Marino hopped on a charter flight to claim the spot.

Marino has certainly paid his dues. He worked his way up through the mini-tours - once shooting a 59 - and claimed a spot on the Nationwide circuit through Monday qualifying and strong finishes. Finally, five years after leaving Virginia, he earned his PGA Tour card at Q-school.

Marino earned more than $1 million as a rookie, had a runner-up finish his sophomore year and nearly won in May at Colonial, losing to Steve Stricker in a playoff.

"He's a great kid and had a ton of talent," said Mark Calcavecchia, who was just 1 stroke behind the co-leaders heading into the weekend.

"He could win this tournament. There's a whole bunch of people that could. But he's going to win soon, and it may even be this week."